Poverty Law I: Housing and Government Benefits Law - Fall 2024

Thursdays 1:25 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. - Mondale Hall Room 3

Professors Larry McDonough and Brianna Boone

Week

Date

First Half

Second Half

1

9/5

Introduction to Poverty Law

Overview of Class and Materials

Understanding Poverty

Professor McDonough

Professor Boone

No class after 3:00 p.m.

2

9/12

Housing Introduction

Professor McDonough


Tenants' Rights in Minnesota, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition


Housing: 2023 and 2024Legislation


Get Ready for 2024 - Landlord and Tenant Law Is Changing!


2024 Legislative Session Recap

3

9/19

Housing: Eviction Overview

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapters I - V and Answer Form A1

Skim reading


Housing: Eviction Service Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, §§ A-C and Answer Form A1


Read service defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.C table of contents and text for more information.


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


4

9/26

Housing: Eviction Precondition Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota Chapter VI, § D and Answer Form A1


Read precondition defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.D table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


Housing: Eviction Rent Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § E and Answer Form A1


Read rent defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.E table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant

5

10/3

Housing: Eviction Notice Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § F and Answer Form A1


Read notice defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.F table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing).


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


Housing: Eviction Breach Defenses

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter VI, § G and Answer Form A1


Read breach defenses of Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota § VI.G table of contents and text for more information (except public and subsidized housing)


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


6

10/10

Housing: Eviction Relief, Post Trial Issues and Settlement

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter I §R., Chapters VII - IX


Read relief in Answer Form A1


Skim Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota Chapters VII - IX table of contents and text for more information.


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant

Housing: Security Deposits

Professor McDonough


McDonough, Security Deposits in Minnesota


Housing: Other Landlord and Tenant Actions


Read the forms for emergency tenant remedies actions, rent escrow actions, and tenant remedies actions and skim Chapter XII §§ B.0-3 table of contents and text for more information.


Habitability Website


McDonough, Residential Eviction Defense and Tenant Claims in Minnesota, Chapter XII.B


In Class: Interview and Advise Hypothetical Tenant


Research Problem #1 Handed Out


7

10/17

Research Problem # 1 Due at 1:25 p.m. via email to Professor McDonough


The Law of Government Benefits, Measuring Poverty, and Getting Benefits


Busted America's Poverty Myths, On the Media, Episodes 1 & 2

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/projects/busted-americas-poverty-myths


In Class: Combined Application Exercise

What Does a Government Benefits Attorney Actually Do?

Professor Boone


In Class: Combined Manual Scavenger Hunt


Combined Manual: https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=CombinedManual




8

10/24

Cash Programs for Individuals with Disabilities (SSI and Social Security)

Professor Boone


Social Security Act: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381-1383f


SSI Regulations: 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.101 – 2227


Required Reading:

Supplemental Security 101: A Guide for Advocates, By:

Jenny Chung Mejia, Justice in Aging, March 2018


National Public Radio, These Disabled People Tried to Play by the Rules. It Cost Them Their Federal Benefits, June 8, 2024


In Class: SSI Exercise and Hypotheticals


Food Programs (SNAP)

Professor Boone


7 C.F.R. §§ 271.1 - 274.8


Required Reading:

A Quick Guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, March 3, 2023


In Class: SNAP Exercise and Hypotheticals

9

10/31

Cash Programs from Families with Children (MFIP)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256J

Minn. Stat. Ch. 256P


Required Readings:


Required Reading:

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Legislative History, Congressional Research Services, Version 27, April 2, 2024


Required Listening

Busted America's Poverty Myths, On the Media:, Episodes 3 & 4


In Class: MFIP Household Hypotheticals; 5-Year Exercise and Hypotheticals


Cash Programs from Families with Children (MFIP)

Professor Boone


Continued

10

11/4

Monday

1:00-4:00 p.m.

Cash Programs for Single Adults (GA and MSA)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256D


Required Reading:

Minnesota Supplemental Aid, Law Help MN


In Class: GA and MSA Exercise and Hypotheticals

Emergency Cash and Food Assistance (EA, EGA, and Expedited SNAP)

Professor Boone


Required Reading:

Emergency General Assistance, Law Help MN


Expedited SNAP, Law Help MN



11

11/14

Medical Benefits (MA, MinnesotaCare, and Home and Community Based Services)

Professor Boone


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256B


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256L


Required Reading:

MA Waiver Programs, Disability Hub

Medical Benefits (MA, MinnesotaCare, and Home and Community Based Services)

Professor Boone


In Class: Medical Assistance Exercise and Hypotheticals.


Research Problem #2 Handed Out

12

11/21

Research Problem # 2 Due at 1:25 p.m. via email to Professor Boone


Other Government Benefits Programs: Child Care Assistance and Housing Support

Current Issues: Skimming; Medicaid Unwinding


Minn. Stat. Ch. CHAPTER 119B


Minn. Stat. Ch. 256I


Required Reading:

Minnesota Health Coverage Renewals Threatens Thousands with Loss of Essential Medical Assistance


Research Finds Significant Racial Disparities in Medicaid Re-enrollment, Noah Weiland, New York Times


Skimming Video

Readability/Plain English Lecture

Professor Boone




13

11/28


Thanksgiving (No Class)


14

12/3

Tuesday

Last Class

Professors McDonough and Boone


Thirteen Principles for Effective Advocacy, Florence Wagman Roisman


Complete surveys and provide class feedback

No class after 3:00 p.m.